Contact Information:
Rebecca Luedemann
marketing@board.swbtballet.org
Elizabeth Seufert
elizabeth@swbtballet.org
Southwest Ballet Theatre and EMCC Art Club Unveil
Pointe Shoe Art Auction Celebrating The Nutcracker
A Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Showcasing Ballet and Visual Art
Avondale, Ariz. — Southwest Ballet Theatre (SWBT) and the Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) Art Club have partnered to launch a unique holiday initiative that blends classical ballet with the creative vision of emerging student artists. In celebration of SWBT’s upcoming performances of The Nutcracker, EMCC art students have transformed retired SWBT pointe shoes into intricately designed works of art, each inspired by characters and moments from Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday ballet. The one-of-a-kind pieces will be auctioned online as a fundraiser benefiting SWBT.
“This project is a beautiful example of how art forms can intersect to create something extraordinary,” said Crystal Fullmer, Artistic Director of Southwest Ballet Theatre. “It celebrates creativity while supporting our mission to bring high-quality ballet to the West Valley community. Collaborations like this deepen our connection with EMCC and highlight the powerful impact of arts partnerships.”
A Growing Partnership Rooted in Arts Access and Collaboration
This collaboration expands the longstanding relationship between SWBT and Estrella Mountain Community College — one that has included performance partnerships, student engagement initiatives, arts education access, and community programming. SWBT is the first performing arts organization to receive EMCC’s “Hero of Education” award, and the companies continue to work together to enrich arts opportunities in the West Valley.
The EMCC Art Club, guided by faculty advisor and working artist Miguel Godoy, encourages students to explore innovative techniques and experiment across a range of media. For this project, students created original designs inspired by The Nutcracker, including character-themed works such as “Arabian” by Alyssa Carballo, “Dew Drop” by Luci Watts, and “Clara” by Sophia Rodriguez. The finished pieces reflect diverse artistic voices and highlight the creative potential sparked when dance and visual art collide.
Event + Auction Details
Art Display
Dec. 8–10, 2025
Performing Arts Center Lobby
Estrella Mountain Community College
Performances
Dec. 11–14, 2025
Southwest Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker.
Artwork will be on display throughout the performance weekend.
EMCC Performing Arts Center
Online Silent Auction
Bid at: 32auctions.com/swbt
Auction closes: Dec. 14, 2025
Auction is open to the public. Winners may choose to pick up artwork at the theater or arrange alternate pickup.
About Southwest Ballet Theatre
Southwest Ballet Theatre is a nonprofit ballet company dedicated to exceptional dance education and enriching the West Valley through professional-quality productions and community partnerships. SWBT performs The Nutcracker annually and presents a full-length spring ballet each year.
About the EMCC Art Club
The Estrella Mountain Community College Art Club is a student-driven creative community that fosters artistic exploration, cultural expression, and hands-on engagement. Under the mentorship of artist and faculty advisor Miguel Godoy, the club provides opportunities for emerging artists to collaborate and expand their craft across a variety of media.
Media Contact
Southwest Ballet Theatre
Email: marketing@board.swbtballet.org
Website: www.swbtballet.org
Phone: 623-250-6366
Photos from the Event
“Arabian,” a hand-embellished pointe shoe inspired by the Arabian dance in The Nutcracker, created by EMCC Art Club student Alyssa Carballo. Carballo, an emerging multimedia artist pursuing her associate degree in art at Estrella Mountain Community College, plans to continue her studies at ASU with ambitions in animation and storyboard design.
“Dew Drop,” a hand-painted pointe shoe inspired by the sparkling Dew Drop Fairy from The Nutcracker, created by EMCC multimedia artist Luci Watts. Watts, a freshman pursuing her fine arts degree, draws heavily from nature, music, and atmospheric storytelling in her work and aspires to create background art for animation and books.
“Clara,” a pointe shoe inspired by the heroine of The Nutcracker, created by EMCC artist Sophia Rodriguez.
“Harlequin Doll,” a pointe shoe inspired by the lively Harlequin character in The Nutcracker, created by EMCC multimedia artist Edward Vasquez. Vasquez, a Buckeye-based artist with 15 years of experience, draws influence from comic books, anime, and tattoo design and is pursuing a fine arts degree with ambitions in animation.
The Estrella Mountain Community College Art Club
— More Shoe Designs and Pictures Available Upon Request —
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